De Soto High School’s cross country team competed at the Bonner Springs Invitational at Wyandotte County Park on Sept. 16.

Junior Sam Hubert led the boys’ varsity team, placing fourth out of 138 runners with a time of 16:49, with senior Andre VanMeerhaeghe close behind at 14th with a time of 17:38. The boys team placed sixth overall out of 17 with an average time of 18:09.

Freshman Jordan Zade led the girls’ varsity team, placing 12th out of 112 runners with a time of 20:30. The girls’ team also placed 6th overall with an average time of 22:01.

Along with tough competition from teams like Saint James Academy, who took first in both races, the course itself was a challenge.

“It’s definitely in our top three hardest courses,” said sophomore varsity runner Chase Culver. “You have a lot of direct sunlight and a lot of shade, but the downhill finish line really helped us out.”

With just a little over a month left in the season, prospects remain high.

“I think both teams are State eligible,” Culver said. “We have amazing talent on both sides. We’re trying to clean some stuff up on the boys’ side, [but] our girls are easily going to do great things just like they have in the past.”

Assistant coach Ben Stamey deemed the meet successful and shared high hopes for the rest of the season.

“I’m very proud of the effort that all the runners gave. They came out and gave it all they had,” Stamey said. “We’re building to something I think is very special. It’s been a good third of the season so far and we’re getting ready to hit the middle third and prepare for the final third of the season. I’m pretty excited.”

The team competes again at Rim Rock Farm in Lawrence on Sept. 23.